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The 1989 Honda GB500 TT and 1965 Triumph T100SS come from different worlds of motorcycling, making their comparison all the more fascinating.
The 1989 Honda GB500 TT from Japan was powered by a 498cc SOHC single producing 40hp at 7000rpm. Weighing 170.0kg (375 lbs) and with a seat height of 790mm, it was aimed at cafe racer riders.
The 1965 Triumph T100SS, hailing from United Kingdom, by contrast offered 490cc of OHV twin power, delivering 34hp at 7000rpm. Tipping the scales at 160.0kg (353 lbs) with a top speed of 160km/h (99 mph), it offered a distinct riding experience. 1980s motorcycles are the rising stars of the collector market. Early sportbikes and final-generation air-cooled models are gaining strong interest.
The 1989 Honda GB500 TT from Japan was powered by a 498cc SOHC single producing 40hp at 7000rpm. Weighing 170.0kg (375 lbs) and with a seat height of 790mm, it was aimed at cafe racer riders.
The 1965 Triumph T100SS, hailing from United Kingdom, by contrast offered 490cc of OHV twin power, delivering 34hp at 7000rpm. Tipping the scales at 160.0kg (353 lbs) with a top speed of 160km/h (99 mph), it offered a distinct riding experience. 1980s motorcycles are the rising stars of the collector market. Early sportbikes and final-generation air-cooled models are gaining strong interest.
Specifications Comparison
| 1989 Honda GB500 TT | 1965 Triumph T100SS | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 498 cc | 490 cc |
| Power | 40 hp | 34 hp |
| Torque | 39.0 Nm | 38.0 Nm |
| Cylinders | 1 | 2 |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h | 160 km/h |
| Quarter Mile | — | — |
| Dry Weight | 170.0 kg | 160.0 kg |
| Wet Weight | 184.0 kg | 173.0 kg |
| Seat Height | 790 mm | 780 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1395 mm | 1380 mm |
| Fuel Capacity | 14.0 L | 14.0 L |
| Gears | 5 -speed | 4 -speed |
The Verdict
These two machines serve fundamentally different purposes. The 1989 Honda GB500 TT is built for spirited café-racer style riding, while the 1965 Triumph T100SS targets all-round versatility and everyday riding. On paper, the 1989 Honda GB500 TT's 40hp trumps the 1965 Triumph T100SS's 34hp, but raw numbers don't tell the whole story in such different segments. Choose the 1989 Honda GB500 TT if you value spirited café-racer style riding; pick the 1965 Triumph T100SS for all-round versatility and everyday riding.
About the 1989 Honda GB500 TT
The 1989 1989 Honda GB500 TT packs a 498cc SOHC single engine with 40hp into a cafe racer package from Honda.
Full 1989 Honda GB500 TT Profile →About the 1965 Triumph T100SS
The 1965 1965 Triumph T100SS packs a 490cc OHV twin engine with 34hp into a standard motorcycle package from Triumph.
Full 1965 Triumph T100SS Profile →